The Road To Love: Love by Degree / The Rain Sparrow

“But I’m his brother,” Derek countered.

“I refuse to listen to any of this,” she said with a small laugh and turned back to the kitchen. “You three are being ridiculous. Reed’s dating Danielle.”

All three followed her. “He could have married Danielle months ago if he was really interested,” Derek informed the small gathering.

“Be still, my beating heart,” Monte joked, melodramatically folding both hands over his chest and pretending to swoon.

Not to be outdone, Pat rested the back of his hand against his forehead and rolled his eyes. “Ah, love.”

“I’m out of here.” Before anyone could argue, Ellen ran up the back stairs to her room, laughing as she went. She had to admit she’d found the boys’ little performances quite funny. But if they pulled any of their pranks around Reed, it would be extremely embarrassing. Ellen resolved to say something to them when the time seemed appropriate.

* * *

FRIDAY AFTERNOON, ELLEN walked into the kitchen, her book bag clutched tightly to her chest.

“What’s the matter? You’re as pale as a ghost,” Monte remarked, cramming a chocolate-chip cookie in his mouth.

Derek and Pat turned toward her, their faces revealing concern.

“I got my algebra paper back today.”

“And?” Derek prompted.

“I don’t know. I haven’t looked.”

“Why not?”

“Because I know how tough Engstrom was on the others. The girl who wrote about solving that oddball conjecture got a C-minus and the guy who was so enthusiastic about Mathematics in World War II got a D. With impressive subjects like that getting low grades, I’m doomed.”

“But you worked hard on that paper.” Loyally, Derek defended her and placed a consoling arm around her shoulders. “You found out a whole bunch of interesting facts about the number nine.”

“You did your paper on that?” Pat asked, his smooth brow wrinkling with amusement.

“Don’t laugh.” She already felt enough of a fool.

“It isn’t going to do any good to worry,” Monte insisted, pulling the folded assignment from between her fingers.

Ellen watched his expression intently as he looked at the paper, then handed it to Derek who raised his brows and gave it to Pat.

“Well?”

“You got a B-minus,” Pat said in obvious surprise. “I don’t believe it.”

“Me neither.” Ellen reveled in the delicious feeling of relief. She sank luxuriously into a chair. “I’m calling Charlie.” Almost immediately she jumped up again and dashed to the phone. “This is too exciting! I’m celebrating.”

The other three had drifted into the living room and two minutes later, she joined them there. “Charlie’s out, but his roommate said he’d give him the message.” Too happy to contain her excitement, she added, “But I’m not sitting home alone. How about if we go out for pizza tonight? My treat.”

“Sorry, Ellen.” Derek looked up with a frown. “I’ve already made plans with Michelle.”

“I’m getting together with a bunch of guys at the gym,” Pat informed her. “Throw a few baskets.”

“And I told my mom I’d be home for dinner.”

Some of the excitement drained from her, but she put on a brave front. “No problem. We’ll do it another night.”

“I’ll go.”

The small group whirled around, shocked to discover Reed standing there, framed in the living-room doorway.

CHAPTER FIVE (#uf7b8ab33-98c7-58ae-8584-8fcd71c58a23)

“REED,” ELLEN BURST OUT, ASTONISHED. “When did you get here?” The instant she’d finished speaking, she realized how stupid the question was. He’d just walked in the back door.

With a grin, he checked his wristwatch. “About fifteen seconds ago.”

“How was the trip?” Derek asked.

“Did you drive straight through?” Pat asked, then said, “I don’t suppose you had a chance to see the Lakers play, did you?”

“You must be exhausted,” Ellen murmured, noting how tired his eyes looked.

As his smiling gaze met hers, the fine laugh lines that fanned out from his eyes became more pronounced. “I’m hungry and tired. Didn’t I just hear you offer to buy me pizza?”

“Ellen got a B-minus on her crazy algebra paper,” Monte said with pride.

Rolling her eyes playfully toward the ceiling, Ellen laughed. “Who would have guessed it—I’m a mathematical genius!”

“So that’s the reason for this dinner. I thought you might have won the lottery.”

He was more deeply tanned than Ellen remembered. Handsome. Vital. And incredibly male. He seemed glad to be home, she thought. Not a hint of hostility showed in the eyes that smiled back at her.

“No such luck.”

Derek made a show of glancing at his watch. “I gotta go or I’ll be late picking up Michelle. It’s good to see you, Reed.”

“Yeah, welcome home,” Pat said, reaching for his basketball. “I’ll see you later.”

Reed raised his right hand in salute and picked up his suitcase, then headed up the wide stairs. “Give me fifteen minutes to shower and I’ll meet you down here.”

The minute Reed’s back was turned, Monte placed his hand over his heart and batted his lashes wildly as he mouthed something about love, true love. Ellen practically threw him out of the house, slamming the door after him.

At the top of the stairs, Reed turned and glanced down at her. “What was that all about?”

Ellen leaned against the closed door, one hand covering her mouth to smother her giggles. But the laughter drained from her as she looked at his puzzled face, and she slowly straightened. She cleared her throat. “Nothing. Did you want me to order pizza? Or do you want to go out?”

“Whatever you prefer.”

“If you leave it up to me, my choice would be to get away from these four walls.”